Everything you need to know about donating a mattress to Goodwill.

You’ve got a mattress to get rid of, but you don’t want it dumped in a landfill. Ideally, your old mattress would go to someone in need. Naturally, your first thought is to donate the mattress to Goodwill—a trusted name in secondhand donations.

But hold on. Does Goodwill accept mattresses anymore? Maybe you heard something about changes to their donation policies. You’re not quite sure, and now you’re having a hard time finding a clear answer online.

This guide breaks down whether you can donate a mattress to Goodwill, what their current policy is, and what alternative eco-friendly disposal options are available to help you avoid landfill waste.

Can you donate a mattress to Goodwill?

Goodwill typically sells donated items in their thrift stores to fund job training and employment programs. In fact, nearly 300,000 people in North America gained job support services thanks to donations last year.

However, not all items make the cut. According to Goodwill, they must decline certain donations—especially items that aren’t recyclable, pose health hazards, or cost more to process than they can resell them for.

So, does Goodwill take mattresses? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Their current donation restrictions include all types of mattresses and box springs—even foam and innerspring mattresses, as well as waterbeds and frames.

Why? Because sanitation laws and safety regulations require that used mattresses be professionally cleaned or refurbished, and the cost simply outweighs the resale value.

While the Goodwill mattress pickup option may not be available, don’t worry—there are still many ways to donate or recycle your mattress responsibly.

Where You Can Donate a Mattress Instead

Due to the widespread issue of bed bugs, most charities are cautious about mattress donations. Some may accept them for material recycling or reuse rather than resale.

While Goodwill does not accept mattresses, other nonprofits might—though acceptance varies by location and condition of the item.

Because many donation centers have limited storage space, you’ll likely have better luck donating a clean, smaller-size mattress (like a twin) than a bulky king or queen.

Here are several organizations that may accept mattress donations in your area:

• National Furniture Bank Association
• Furniture Banks Across America
• Catholic Charities
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Vietnam Veterans of America
• DonationTown.org
• Local homeless or women’s shelters
• Local nonprofit thrift stores

Some locations of the Salvation Army may also take mattresses in very good condition—free of rips, stains, or damage. Be sure to call ahead and ask about their guidelines.

If you’re in a larger city, you’re more likely to find an organization with the ability to manage mattress donations and help those in need directly—skipping resale entirely.

However, only donate a mattress that is clean and usable. Donating a damaged or infested mattress creates more work—and cost—for the charity, as they will ultimately have to dispose of it themselves.

If your mattress is not fit for donation, consider using a mattress removal service that can handle pickup, donation, or recycling for you—no heavy lifting needed.

What to Do If Goodwill Doesn’t Take Mattresses

Still stuck with a mattress to get rid of? If you’ve exhausted donation routes, an eco-friendly mattress removal service like Mattress Disposal Plus can help. You can also check out our guide on how to get rid of your mattress for even more disposal tips. They prioritize recycling and charitable donation over landfill dumping.

They also have the resources and partner networks to handle mattresses that individual donors can’t place. So even when Goodwill mattress pickup isn’t an option, you can still feel good about how your mattress is handled. If you’re trying to return it, check out our guide on how to get your mattress back in the box for return.

Mattress Disposal Plus is a licensed and insured removal company offering affordable pickup of mattresses, box springs, furniture, and more—always with environmentally responsible disposal in mind.

Unlike competitors who charge based on bulky truck space, Mattress Disposal Plus uses item-based pricing—meaning you pay 20–30% less on average with no surprise fees.

Stress-Free Mattress Removal with Mattress Disposal Plus

With Mattress Disposal Plus, you can skip the confusion of donation rules and simply book a pickup. Their teams handle everything—from lifting to transportation—so you don’t have to.

Many junk haulers overcharge once your items are loaded. But Mattress Disposal Plus provides an upfront quote you can trust, with no hidden fees.

Whether you’re wondering “does Goodwill accept mattresses?” or you’ve already been turned away, Mattress Disposal Plus is a reliable alternative that prioritizes convenience and sustainability.

Mattress Disposal Plus believes that getting rid of a mattress, furniture, or other unwanted items should be stress-free and affordable for the customer. They’re transparent about their pricing because they want to make sure your mattress disposal experience is one of great value, from start to finish.

If you’re still not sure what to do with that old mattress, take a look at this guide to mattress disposal for more ideas and detailed information on mattress disposal.

If you’d rather have somebody do all the hard work for you, get in touch with us or book a pickup online to schedule mattress removal & disposal service.